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If you’ve ever thought that Mick Jagger might seem comically at home in a psychiatric ward, he would. The legendary Rolling Stones vocalist was employed as a hospital porter in Bexley at the age of 18. Kurt Cobain of Nirvana began his love affair with grunge working as a janitor.
For these larger-than-life stars, humble beginnings led to arena-rocking greatness. For the rest of us, there is Guitar Hero. But rather than let your dreams fade out like a proverbial Flock of Seagulls, what if you could be a part of the action from behind the scenes? We love roadies, but we’re talking about real jobs. Here are a few that will have you rubbing shoulders with the music makers.
Music Journalism
Have a love for music and a gift for the written word? Consider pursuing a career in music journalism. You’ll be able to get your fill of music through press passes for free access to shows, as well as early access to albums for reviews. Do well, and you could rub shoulders with some celebrities. Even if your vocals don’t rock the crowd, your words will.
DJ
Yes, DJing is a real job. More than likely you won’t end up like DeadMau5, Skrillex or Calvin Harris. But even if you’re more comfortable just playing to small crowds, it can be extremely fulfilling to cultivate new music, hone in on just the right mix of tracks and help people have a good time. Best of all, you can start with some cheap equipment in your spare time.
Lighting and Staging
Have you ever noticed how perfectly the lights seem to follow professional musicians on stage? The way strobes and lasers coordinate with the movements in a piece? That doesn’t happen by accident. Coordinating lighting and staging is no small feat, it takes advanced knowledge of specialized equipment, but if you’re good at it, you could get paid to do what you love.
Cover Art Designer
Iconic cover art stays in fan’s minds forever. If you’re a graphic artist, you’re already most of the way there. Make a few business moves and get your work in front of recording artists, and you could create the next “The Velvet Underground & Nico.”
Session Musician
Also called studio musicians, this is an ideal path to take if you have a broad musical background, want to play professionally and don’t require the applause of a crowd to take pride in your work. The job comes with its share of quirks and challenges, but if you play your cards right, you could hear your work on a television commercial or even the albums of professional recording artists.
Music Teacher
Sharing the joy of music with young people is a great way to make use of your talents and make sure that these essential skills are passed on. If you enjoy spending your time with kids and are a clear communicator, consider a job as a music teacher. As you progress through your career, you’ll have the chance to specialize and work with advanced clients if you want.
Recording Engineer
The legendary Jimmy Iovine started his music career as a recording engineer and got a break working with “the Boss,” Bruce Springsteen. The job is tedious, requiring fastidious attention to detail and long hours. If you’re talented, though, you could get to hang with the industry’s finest. In Iovine’s case, starting as an engineer led to a career in production and later ascension to the music industry’s top brass collaborating with Dr. Dre and Apple.
Agent
When you’re a world-famous rock star, it’s hard keeping up with voicemail. It takes an understanding of the music industry to represent musical talent. Expect to work weird hours and get some bizarre requests. At the same time, you’ll probably be paid well and have a much easier time enjoying a private dinner than the people you work for.
Of course, you can always just shoot for the role roadie. Make sure you work on your back strength ahead of time, though, and develop a high tolerance rabid fans. If nothing else, you’ll undoubtedly get good seats.
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